10 Days Lodge Luxury Safari Enjoying Southern Tanzania’s Spectacular Wildlife Destinations

Time: Morning departure, afternoon boat safari
Main Activities: Road transfer, arrival and Rufiji River boat safari
Distance: Approximately 230 km
Attractions: Rufiji River, riverbanks, channels and wildlife-rich wetlands

Depart Dar es Salaam in the morning and travel towards Nyerere National Park. Upon arrival, settle into your lodge and prepare for an afternoon on the Rufiji River. The boat safari offers a peaceful alternative to a traditional game drive, with opportunities to observe hippos, crocodiles, birds and other wildlife around the river environment. The changing light over the water and surrounding wilderness creates a memorable first afternoon before returning to the comfort of your lodge.

Destination:

Nyerere National Park

Overnight:

Roho ya Selous

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

❮ ❯

Time: Early morning to late afternoon
Main Activities: Full-day game drive, lake circuits and birdwatching
Distance: Approximately 80–120 km
Attractions: Nyerere lakes, plains, woodland and wildlife areas

Rise early for a full-day exploration of Nyerere National Park. The game drive moves across different habitats, with special attention to lakes and areas where wildlife gathers around water. Elephants, buffalo, giraffes, hippos and predators may be encountered during the day, while birdwatchers can enjoy the variety of species associated with wetlands and woodland. Return to the lodge later in the afternoon for a relaxed evening surrounded by the natural atmosphere of the park.

Destination:

Nyerere National Park

Overnight:

Roho ya Selous

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

❮ ❯

Time: Morning walking activity, afternoon safari
Main Activities: Guided walking safari, afternoon game drive or optional community visit
Distance: Approximately 40–80 km
Attractions: Bush trails, wildlife habitats and Nyerere landscapes

Start the morning with a guided walking safari, experiencing the bush at a slower and more intimate pace. Your guide will help interpret tracks, vegetation, sounds and other signs that reveal the life of the wilderness. Following lunch and a period of rest, continue with an afternoon game drive or an optional community visit where arranged. The evening returns you to the comfort of your lodge after a day that combines nature, wildlife and local surroundings.

Destination:

Nyerere National Park

Overnight:

Roho ya Selous

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

❮ ❯

Time: Morning to afternoon
Main Activities: Inter-park road transfer and scenic countryside viewing
Distance: Approximately 250–300 km
Attractions: Rural landscapes, woodland, villages and Southern Tanzania scenery

After breakfast, depart Nyerere and travel towards Mikumi National Park. The journey offers a chance to see how the landscape changes between these two major safari areas. Pass through rural communities, woodland and open countryside before reaching the Mikumi region. After arrival, check into your lodge and use the remaining time to relax, prepare for the next day and enjoy the quieter side of the safari.

Destination:

Mikumi Natinal Park

Overnight:

Wellworth Mikumi Wildlife Lodge

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

❮ ❯

Time: Early morning to late afternoon
Main Activities: Full-day game drive and wildlife observation
Distance: Approximately 80–120 km
Attractions: Mkata Floodplain, Hippo Pool viewpoint and Mikumi plains

Explore Mikumi on a full-day game drive, with the Mkata Floodplain providing an open landscape for wildlife observation. Continue to the Hippo Pool viewpoint and other suitable areas of the park, looking for animals around water and across the grasslands. The day also provides opportunities to appreciate the relationship between wildlife and the seasonal landscape. Return to your accommodation after a full day in the park.

Destination:

Mikumi Natinal Park

Overnight:

Wellworth Mikumi Wildlife Lodge

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

❮ ❯

Time: Morning transfer, afternoon hike
Main Activities: Transfer to Udzungwa, rainforest walk and Sanje Waterfalls hike
Distance: Approximately 100 km
Attractions: Udzungwa Mountains, rainforest, Sanje Waterfalls and endemic primates

Travel from Mikumi to the Udzungwa Mountains after breakfast. The day introduces a completely different environment, replacing open savannah with lush rainforest and mountain scenery. Follow the trail towards Sanje Waterfalls, enjoying the cool forest atmosphere and changing scenery along the way. The rainforest also provides opportunities to encounter endemic primates and a variety of birdlife. After completing the hike, return to the lodge and relax in the peaceful mountain surroundings.

Destination:

Udzungwa Mountains

Overnight:

Udzungwa Falls Lodge

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

❮ ❯

Time: Morning departure, afternoon arrival
Main Activities: Scenic transfer via Iringa and Southern Highlands viewing
Distance: Approximately 300–350 km
Attractions: Iringa region, Southern Highlands and mountain landscapes

Leave Udzungwa and continue towards Ruaha National Park via Iringa. The road journey is scenic, with the Southern Highlands providing dramatic changes in elevation, vegetation and landscape. Enjoy views of the countryside as the route moves towards the drier environments associated with Ruaha. Arrive in the afternoon, check into your lodge and take time to rest before the following day’s major wildlife adventure.

Destination:

Ruaha National Park

Overnight:

Kigelia Ruaha

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

❮ ❯

Time: Early morning to late afternoon
Main Activities: Full-day game drive and wildlife observation
Distance: Approximately 80–120 km
Attractions: Great Ruaha River, baobab woodland and open plains

Spend a full day discovering Ruaha National Park. The Great Ruaha River provides an important natural feature within the park, while baobab woodland and open country create a distinctive Southern Tanzanian safari landscape. Search for elephants, buffalo, giraffes, lions, leopards and other wildlife while moving between different habitats. With a full day available, there is time to explore widely and appreciate both the wildlife and scenery before returning to your lodge.

Destination:

Ruaha National Park

Overnight:

Kigelia Ruaha

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

❮ ❯

Time: Morning safari, afternoon transfer and visit
Main Activities: Morning game drive or walking safari, transfer to Iringa and Isimila visit
Distance: Approximately 110–130 km
Attractions: Ruaha landscapes, Iringa highlands and Isimila Stone Age Site

Enjoy one final morning in the Ruaha environment with either a game drive or guided walking safari. After leaving the park, continue towards Iringa and visit the Isimila Stone Age Site. The site provides an opportunity to discover an important part of Tanzania’s archaeological heritage, including ancient stone tools and striking natural formations. Return to your lodge in Iringa for a comfortable final evening before the journey back to Dar es Salaam.

Destination:

Iringa Attractions

Overnight:

Hans Poppe Hotel

  luxury 5 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

❮ ❯

Time: Early morning to evening
Main Activities: Long road transfer and final countryside experience
Distance: Approximately 500–550 km
Attractions: Kitonga, Mikumi surroundings and Southern Tanzania countryside

After breakfast, begin the return journey to Dar es Salaam. Travel across the Southern Highlands and continue via Kitonga and the Mikumi area. Although this is a long transfer day, the route provides a final opportunity to enjoy the changing landscapes that have defined the safari. Arrive in Dar es Salaam in the evening, completing your 10-day lodge-based luxury journey across Southern Tanzania.